Shabbat Shalom ~ Parashat Korach 2026

Shalom WJC Family,

Happy Juneteenth! I hope we will see you tonight for a very special dinner and Rhythm & Ruach service. Since the summer of 2020, with special thanks to Ruth Obernbreit and other volunteers, we have embraced an educational program about race, history, Judaism, and justice. The exploration and educational effort culminated in our congregational trip to Alabama a couple of years ago, though it continues as we will see tonight. 

In Montgomery, we met April Hampton and learned about “The Telling.” The Telling is her meal-based ritual to tell the story of the African American experience with slavery and freedom based on the Jewish ritual of the seder. We are very excited to have April as our guest speaker at our Rhythm & Ruach service tonight at 6, educating about Juneteenth itself. Then, over dinner, she will give us a feel for the Telling ritual, including its special foods, texts, and customs. Copies of the Telling will also be available. They are definitely an interesting element to bring to our own seders next Passover. This is a truly unique and special program that we are proud to bring to our synagogue. I hope to see you there.

As part of our efforts over the last few years, we attempted to learn about the history of slavery in our local area. Those efforts helped with the publication of a special map to show how many people were enslaved right here in our town and villages, where they lived, and what they did. Now, that effort has been memorialized in a beautiful monument at the Mamaroneck Town Center building. The monument is being dedicated today at 10am in a ceremony on the Town Center Patio. I hope you can make it to that ceremony, or at least get to stop by and see the powerful installation.

This will be my last message before heading out for a few weeks vacation starting next week, though the Cantor and Rabbi Dalton will be writing these weekly messages. The clergy is so appreciative of everyone who steps up to take on parts in the Saturday morning services in July and August and especially to Cindy Heller and Victor Badner who are coordinating the effort this summer. I want to encourage you to reach out to Victor or Cindy about participating. They are looking for support leading the Shacharit service, chanting a haftarah, leading Adon Olam in a fun tune, and, most especially, chanting Torah. The Cantor can assist anyone who wants to learn or needs a refresher and this is a great opportunity to read Torah with a smaller crowd in a more intimate setting (summer services are in the chapel).

I will be returning mid-July, but of course, if you need anything before then, Rabbi Dalton and Cantor Goldberg will be available. Wishing you all a summer filled with blessings, fun, and good fortune.

See you in shul,

RJA